Designates May of each year as "Mothers' Grief Awareness Month."

AJR181

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 181

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED MAY 7, 2026

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman� MELINDA KANE

District 6 (Burlington and Camden)

SYNOPSIS

���� Designates May of each year as �Mothers� Grief
Awareness Month.�

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

A Joint
Resolution

designating May of each
year as �Mothers� Grief Awareness Month.�

Whereas,

Motherhood is one of the most profound and sacred roles a woman can hold, and
the bond between a mother and her child begins before birth and continues
throughout her lifetime; and

Whereas,

When a child passes away, whether during pregnancy, infancy, childhood, or
adulthood, a mother carries an immeasurable grief that endures for a lifetime;
and

Whereas,

While every parent grieves the loss of a child, mothers bear a unique
emotional, physical, and mental toll, often experiencing silent struggles with
depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and isolation; and

Whereas,

Many mothers who have lost children suffer in silence, especially those who
face cultural and systematic barriers to grief acknowledgement, mental health
care, and community support; and

Whereas,

It is vital to recognize, honor, and support mothers who endure this
unimaginable loss and to ensure they have access to resources, community, and
compassion; and

Whereas,

Designating May as Mothers� Grief Awareness Month provides an opportunity to
raise awareness, break the silence, educate communities, promote maternal
mental health care, and offer solidarity to grieving mothers everywhere; and

Whereas,

This observance aligns with the month of Mother�s Day, ensuring that no mother
feels forgotten, invisible, or excluded on a day that may otherwise deepen her
pain; now, therefore,

����
Be It
Resolved
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.� The month of May of each
year is designated as �Mothers� Grief Awareness Month� in New Jersey to honor
and acknowledge mothers who have lost children and to raise awareness of
maternal mental health challenges associated with child loss.

���� 2.� The Governor is
respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing the month
of May of each year as �Mothers� Grief Awareness Month� in New Jersey, and to call
upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe the month with
appropriate activities and programs.

���� 3.� This act shall take effect
immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This bill designates the month
of May of each year as �Mothers� Grief Awareness Month� to honor and
acknowledge mothers who have lost children.

���� Motherhood is a profound
experience culminating in a lifetime bond between mother and child. �This bond
starts before the child is born and lasts a lifetime. �Child loss at any age is
devastating and can have profound effects on the mother, with mothers
experiencing a range of issues including struggles with depression, anxiety,
post-traumatic stress, and isolation. �Many mothers may suffer in silence,
resulting in worsened mental health.

���� Designating May as Mothers�
Grief Awareness Month will acknowledge the experiences of these mothers and
raise awareness around mothers� bereavement. �Raising awareness of this issue
helps break down barriers to resources, educate communities, promote maternal
mental health care, and offer solidarity to grieving mothers everywhere.

���� Designating this observance to
align with the month of Mothers� Day ensures that no mother feels forgotten,
invisible, or excluded on a day that may otherwise bring her pain.